SCARS News April 19, 2024

/ April 19, 2024

In This Issue…

SCARS Meeting Saturday 4/20 – Lea Greenleaf – Faraday Cages — Menu

Lea Greenleaf W5LHG will discuss using various Faraday bags to enclose electronic equipment. Learn about these products and how they may help you.

SCARS meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month (the 3rd during April for the Green Country Hamfest) at Norman Firehouse #7, 2207 Goddard Ave, Norman, OK, and online via Zoom / YouTube / Telephone. The monthly presentation starts at 9:30 a.m. The club meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Guests are always welcome! Join us on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and donuts. To join Zoom, download the Zoom software and click this link at https://w5nor.org/zoom. You can enter using 893 9952 6291 password w5nor. Or, to watch the fun, click the YouTube link at https://w5nor.org/stream …

Memorial Marathon Communications Needs You — Menu

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Communications

Ham Volunteer Registration Online Link – Click here

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was organized to be a Run To Remember for those who died, those who survived, and those whose lives were changed forever, in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995.  It is usually held on the last Sunday of April each year. This year it will be April 27th and 28th, 2024.

110 amateur radio operators are needed this year to cover the entire course with public service communications. We have operators that operate in all of these locations:

  • shadowing the race director at the Start and Finish lines
  • operators at each of 4 relay locations
  • at each of the 19 medical tents on the course
  • net control operators
  • SAG vehicles
  • water and ice trucks
  • the incident command trailer
  • in the lead vehicle for the full and half marathons
  • tail-end Charlie following the last runner
  • operators at the “kids’ corral” at the end of the kids’ race
  • radio observers along the “last mile”
  • operators at the Regional Emergency Operations Center in OKC
  • running in the race
  • and any other assignments that may be needed.

Volunteer registration is online, and you can sign up today. Be a part of this amateur radio community event. This will assign you to the Public Services Communications team.

This URL will take you directly to the PSC registration page.

Please read the header info on the site.  We all will have a background check done as part of the registration.

Please fill out all the boxes.

Please send any special needs and/or comments to gkitch@cityofmoore.com.

Sunday race day usually begins at about 0600 with an on-site check-in, and most operators should be released by 1400.  It is a very rewarding experience to see and assist runners from all over the world.

A pre-brief meeting will be held on April 22nd at the OKC Fire Training Center, 820 N Portland, Oklahoma City, 73107, where T-shirts, credential packets (for those in the downtown area), frequency cards, and other necessary information are dispersed.

Most radio operators need a good mobile or base unit with an external antenna. An HT with an external antenna, spare battery packs, or an external power supply may also work. Please visit your assigned location and test your radios with the repeaters used. Stay flexible and able to adapt to course changes and changes in the weather (hot, cold, rain, hail, wind, etc.) Follow the Marathon Communications Plan created by the Public Safety Communications chair.

There is a NO WEAPONS policy – open or concealed again this year for any part of the marathon. If you do not feel you cannot abide by the No Weapons policy along any part of the course or on any OKC MM property, then please DO NOT volunteer.

This is the main fundraiser that supports the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum.  It is usually about 1 million dollars each year. There are about 25,000 entrants each year.

The in-kind contribution of the amateur radio community is over $65,000 in volunteer time and equipment each year.

Sign up today and get in on the fun!

FCC License Testing

Please join the SCARS Exam Team
in congratulating the following operators:

Margaret Valentine, KJ5FQH – New Technician
Bradley Nickell, K5EEU – Upgraded to Amateur Extra
Gail Denny, KJ5FQK – New General
Cary Beagle, KJ5FQP – New Technician

Upcoming Exam Sessions: May 2, June 6, and July 11 (delayed for 4th of July).

Dates to Remember — Menu

  • SCARS Elmer Nights – In-person Elmer Night is held every Tuesday evening, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Join us in person at Norman Firehouse #7 Emergency Operations Center – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069 and on Zoom at https://w5nor.org/zoom/.
  • SCARS Meeting – Saturday, April 20, 2024. Lea Greenleaf W5LHG will discuss using various Faraday bags to enclose electronic equipment. Learn about these products and how they may help you. This meeting will be held at 9:30 am in the Norman Firehouse #7 Training Center – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069, on Zoom at https://w5nor.org/zoom/ and on YouTube at https://w5nor.org/stream/. The doors will open at 9:00 a.m., and the presentation starts at 9:30 a.m.
  • SCARS license testing, May 2, 2024, – 6:30 p.m. – at Norman Firehouse #7 Training Center – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069.

Newsletter News — Menu

This newsletter is announced in several places. Feel free to subscribe the way that suits you best. If you’re an email person, you can subscribe by visiting https://w5nor.org/email. If you’re a Twitter person, visit us at https://w5nor.org/twitter. Each newsletter announcement is posted on the Facebook group at https://w5nor.org/facebook. And if you like to search for this, you can visit the newsletter at https://w5nor.org/newsletter. No matter how you found the newsletter, we’re glad you made it.

This newsletter should be for and about you. If you have a neat build project to share, an interesting QSO, a new radio review, a new idea, an upcoming event, or a member spotlight, or if you’d like to help produce the newsletter, please email at w5nor@w5nor.org. These don’t have to be polished articles; we’ll edit them as required. Don’t forget a picture or two. Those pictures are worth a thousand words.

Local Hamfests — Menu

Here’s the list of upcoming local hamfests. Hamfests are always great places to buy new equipment, sell underused equipment, and find an excellent flea market bargain. They are also great places to meet local hams and learn new tricks.

5/18-20/2024 | Dayton Hamvention | Location: Xenia, OH
7/27-28/2024 | Ham Holiday | Location: OCCC – Oklahoma City, OK
8/11/2024 | Reno County KS Hamfest | Location: Hutchinson, KS
8/24-25/2024 | Joplin Hamfest | Location: Joplin, MO
9/8/2024 | Enid Hamfest | Location: Enid, OK
9/8-9/2024 | Arkansas State Convention | Location: Mena, AR
9/15-17/2024 | Duke City Hamfiesta | Location: Albuquerque, NM
10/05/2024 | Wichita Area Hamfest | Location: Wichita, KS
10/26/2024 | Hamarama Hamfest | Location: Ardmore, OK
1/5/2025 | Checotah | Location: Checotah, OK
3/1/2025 | Elk City Hamfest | Location: Elk City, OK
4/5-6/2025 | Green Country Hamfest | Location: Claremore, OK
4/6/2025 | Ozark Con – 4 States QRP | Location: Branson, MO

If you want to travel, the ARRL lists all US hamfests within 250 miles. Click here for the list.

Odds and Ends — Menu

SCARS Is On The Web — Menu

News, links, repeater info, hamfests, licensing, and more are linked from the menu sidebar at the SCARS Homepage – W5NOR.ORG!

Podcast: On The Air — Menu

The On the Air podcast is a companion to the bi-monthly On the Air magazine (an ARRL membership benefit) and takes a deeper dive into select features and projects. Each month, host Becky Schoenfeld W1BXY offers additional resources, techniques, and hints to help you get the most from the magazine’s content.

Audio Link

Served Agencies: Who They Are and How We Serve Them

We often hear about served agencies when hams talk about disaster response and emergency communications. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, joins the podcast this month to discuss exactly what and who served agencies are, and where the Amateur Radio Service fits into their responses.

The “On The Air” podcast homepage is available by clicking here.

ARRL Letter & Audio News — Menu

ARRL Audio News

The current ARRL letter is available by clicking here.

ARRL Audio News Information is available by clicking here.

ARRL DX Bulletin — Menu

SB DX @ ARL $ARLD016
ARLD016 DX news

ZCZC AE16
QST de W1AW  
DX Bulletin 16  ARLD016
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  April 18, 2024
To all radio amateurs   

SB DX ARL ARLD016
ARLD016 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the
ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.  Thanks to all.

BHUTAN, A5.  Janusz, SP9FIH and Leszek, SP6CIK are QRV as A52P and
A52CI, respectively, until May 4.  Activity is on 40 to 6 meters
using CW, SSB, and various digital modes.  QSL via Club Log.

EASTER ISLAND, CE0.  A group of operators are QRV as 3G0YA until May
6.  Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8.  QSL via
DJ4MX.

NIUE, E6.  Gavin, ZL3GAV is QRV as E6SP until April 28.  Activity is
holiday style on 160 to 6 meters using SSB, SSTV, FT8, and FT4 in
DXpedition mode, with the possibility of CW and RTTY.  QSL via LoTW.

AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FO.  Jeff, K5WE and Craig, W5CCP are QRV as TX7W
from Raivavae, IOTA OC-114, until April 30.  Activity is on 160 to 6
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.  QSL via K5WE.

OGASAWARA, JD1.  Harry, JG7PSJ will be QRV as JD1BMH from
Chichijima, IOTA AS-031, from April 22 to May 4.  Activity will be
on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY.  QSL direct to home
call.

SVALBARD, JW.  Kaare, LA8EKA is QRV as JW8EKA from Longyearbyen,
IOTA EU-026, until April 21.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using
SSB, RTTY, PSK31, and FT8.  QSL direct to home call.

MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0.  Look for operators JA6REX, JH6HZH and JA6VQA
to be QRV as KH0/JA6REX, KH0/W6HZH, and WH0B, respectively, from
Saipan, IOTA OC-086, from April 25 to 30.  Activity will be on 160
to 6 meters using FT8, FT4, with some CW and SSB.  QSL via LoTW.

WAKE ISLAND, KH9.  Tom, NL7RR is QRV as KH9/NL7RR until May 15.
Activity is generally on 20 meters using SSB around 0700z.  QSL
direct to home call.

BELGIUM, ON.  Special event station OT2024EPIC is QRV until May 19
to promote the seventh edition of the Antwerp Port Epic cycling
race.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ANTARCTICA.  Igor, RQ8K is QRV as RI1ANE from the Base Progress,
IOTA AN-016, until May 2025.  Activity is in his spare time.  QSL
via RN3RQ.

CHAD, TT.  A group of operators are QRV as TT8RR, TT8XX, and TT8TT
until April 30.  Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY,
and FT8 with four stations.  This includes being active on Satellite
QO-100.  QSL direct to I2YSB.

MICRONESIA, V6.  Kevin, N4DVR is QRV as V6DVR from Chuuk, IOTA
OC-011, until April 20.  Activity is on 20 to 10 meters using SSB.
QSL via LoTW.

INDIA, VU.  Jose, VU2JOS is QRV as AT24JOS until April 22 to
celebrate World Amateur Radio Day.  QSL to home call.

LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS, VU7.  Lal, VU7LAL is QRV from Agatti and
Kavarathi until May 31.  Activity is on 40, 20, and 10 meters.  QSL
direct.

LAOS,  XW.  Vincent, XW4KV is QRV from Vang Vieng until June 1.
Activity is on 15 meters using SSB and FT8.  QSL direct to F4BKV.

MACAO, XX9.  Wai, XX9CM is usually active on 17 meters using SSB
around 1430 to 1900z.  QSL direct.

SOUTH SUDAN, Z8.  Diya, YI1DZ is QRV as Z81D from Juba until May 31.
Activity is on 40 to 6 meters, and possibly 160 and 80 meters, using
SSB and FT8.  QSL via OM3JW.
 
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL SSB Rookie Roundup, NCCC FT4
Sprint, Weekly RTTY Test, NCCC CW Sprint, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test,
Holyland DX Contest, ES Open HF Championship, Worked All Provinces
of China DX Contest, YU DX Contest, Dutch PACCdigi Contest, QRP to
the Field, CQ MM DX CW Contest, Nebraska QSO Party, Texas State
Parks on the Air, Michigan QSO Party, EA-QRP CW Contest, Feld Hell
Sprint, Ontario QSO Party, International Vintage Contest HF and the
Quebec QSO Party will certainly keep contesters busy this upcoming
weekend.
           
The Run for the Bacon QRP CW Contest, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, ICWC
Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC CW Memorial, Worldwide Sideband Activity
Contest, ZL 80-Meter Sprint, SKCC CW Sprint, Phone Weekly Test,
A1Club AWT, CWops Test, Mini-Test 40 CW, Mini-Test 80 CW, 432 MHz
Spring Sprint and the UKEICC 80-Meter CW Contest are on tap for
April 22 to 24.

Please see April QST, page 76, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest
websites for details.
NNNN
/EX

The latest ARRL DX Bulletin is always at the top here — ARRL DX Bulletin

Amateur Radio Newsline — Menu

– SIMULATED CRISIS DRAWS ROBUST RESPONSE IN OREGON
– DXPEDITIONERS REASSESS BOUVET PLANNING FOR 2025
– SILENT KEY: ELPIDIO “PETE” COBIAN, N6VJD, FORMERLY OF THE BAND SWEETWATER
– SILENT KEY: LARRY STAPLES, WØAIB, FOUNDER/EDITOR OF LARRY’S LIST
– NASA CONFIRMS ISS DEBRIS HIT FLORIDA HOME
– AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK LOGS MORE THAN 17,000 QSOS WORLDWIDE
– POTA EVENT SHOWCASES TOP OPERATORS IN PA REGION
– NOTED SCIENTIST HONORED FOR IONOSPHERIC RESEARCH
– COURAGE KENNY HANDIHAM MARKS 57 YEARS
– AO-109 CUBESAT EXPECTED TO REENTER ATMOSPHERE
– NOMINATE NEWSLINE’S NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
– HAMS PREPARE FOR SOS RADIO WEEK
– WORLD OF DX
– KICKER: WHEN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION ITSELF IS THE CRISIS

SCRIPT

AUDIO

The Amateur Radio Newsline can be found at ARNewsline.org.

W5KUB – Amateur Radio Roundtable Video

Ham radio discussion. Tonight we talk about ham radio furniture, build your own, upcoming hamfests, plus much more.

The W5KUB YouTube channel link is here: W5KUB YouTube.

Ham Nation / Ham Radio Workbench — Menu

These two podcasts are published bi-weekly, so we alternate them in this space.

Tonight we talk with Michael Kalter about what is new in 2024 for Hamvention! Charlie from @RedSummitRF joins us as a special guest host, Don will bring us the latest update from Amateur Radio Newsline, and Gordo will be serving up some hot Short Shots!

The recent Ham Nation episodes are linked right here Ham Nation.
The most recent Ham Radio Workbench episodes are linked right here Ham Radio Workbench.

73 de Mark N5HZR

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